BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The 2024 election season will be another high-profile contest with the White House, Congress and state House seats up for grabs.
And once again, the Lehigh Valley will be in the thick of it.
Both Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican former President Donald Trump have made frequent visits to Pennsylvania since becoming their parties’ nominees.
The includes here in the Lehigh Valley, which has proven to be a bellwether for the nation and continuously attracted political VIPs.
Trump on Tuesday held a rally at the PPL Center in downtown Allentown. He had last visited the region in April, when he addressed more than 6,000 supporters outside Schnecksville Fire Hall.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president, also made multiple trips into the area.
He sat down with voters at El Tipico Restaurant in Allentown on Oct. 25. He also visited Freedom High Schoolin September.
What to know before Election Day
When is Election Day?
Tuesday, Nov. 5.
When can I go to the polls?
The polls in Pennsylvania open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. If you are in line by 8 p.m., you still can vote. Mail-in ballots must have reached the county election office or a drop box by 8 p.m. Tuesday to be counted.
Where can I drop my mail-in ballot?
LehighValleyNews.com compiled a list of mail-in ballot drop boxes throughout Lehigh and Northampton counties. A full list — including what you can and can't do when you get there — is available here.
Pennsylvania law requires voters to return their own ballot and prohibits them from turning in other voters' ballots on their behalf.
How can I find my polling place?
Voters must go to the correct polling place to cast their vote.
A full list of polling places in Lehigh and Northampton counties can be found on their respective websites, but you can find a pdf of the lists below.
Lehigh County polling places are listed in pages one through four and Northampton County polling places follow.
The Pennsylvania Department of State also has an online tool where voters can input their address and search for their polling place.
Lehigh Valley Polling Places by LehighValley Newsdotcom on Scribd
What is a provisional ballot? Should I use one?
The Department of State lists the following scenarios as ones where voters should use a provisional ballot:
- If you recently moved and are at your former polling place
- If you did not complete your mail-in or absentee ballot and return it with the outer return envelope to your polling place
- If you requested a mail ballot but did not receive it or lost it
- If your name is not in the poll book at your polling place
If your mail-in ballot has been rejected by a disqualifying mistake, a recent Supreme Court ruling determined you still can vote via a provisional ballot.
Election officials will determine if your provisional ballot can be counted.
Should I bring my ID?
You only need to bring identification if it's your first time voting at a new polling place. Find a full list of approved photo identification and non-photo identification at the Department of State's website.
When will the results be announced?
The commonwealth's website says results of the election for some races may not be known on election night, instead saying counties "are prioritizing accuracy and security above all else as they count ballots."
Unofficial election results from the state can be found at electionreturns.pa.gov.
Voters can check the status of their mail-in or absentee ballot on the Department of State website.
How many electoral votes are up for grabs in Pennsylvania?
With 19 electoral votes, the commonwealth is the largest prize among the battleground states.
How did PA vote in previous elections?
Pennsylvania went narrowly for Trump in 2016 after almost 30 years of voting for Democratic presidential candidates.
In 2020, Democrat Joe Biden won with a margin in Pennsylvania of about 80,000 votes out of more than 6.9 million votes cast.
The state remains a key electoral prize this year.
On the ballot
LehighValleyNews.com has compiled articles about candidates in heavily contested races. Click the links for each respective race to learn more about the candidates and what they support below.
Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District
U.S. Rep. Susan Wild is seeking her fourth term representing the Lehigh Valley against Republican candidate state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie.
Find out more about the candidates here.
The district covers all of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties and a sliver of southwest Monroe County. The district is split nearly down the middle between registered Democrats and Republicans.
Political observers expect it to be among a handful of toss-up congressional races this fall.
State row offices
Republican state Auditor General Tim Defoor is seeking a second term in office against state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Philadelphia.
The auditor general serves as Pennsylvania's financial watchdog, reviewing contracts and protocols to ensure tax dollars are being spent appropriately. Learn more about the candidates through SpotlightPA.
Another Republican incumbent, Stacy Garrity, will face off against Erin McClelland in the Pennsylvania Treasurer race. SpotlightPA can tell you more about the candidates and what they stand for.
The state Attorney General race will pit Democrat Eugene DePasquale against Republican Dave Sunday.
SpotlightPA published articles about how the candidates plan to approach the opioid epidemic, gun crimes and violence, and reproductive rights.
131st House District
Republican incumbent state Rep. Milou Mackenzie will face off against journalist Meriam Sabih, who is making her first campaign for public office.
The district covers Coopersburg; Lower Milford, Upper Milford and Upper Saucon townships; parts of Lower Saucon and Salisbury townships; and the northeast corner of Montgomery County.
To learn more about the candidates, check out LehighValleyNews.com's article here.
137th House District
Incumbent Republican Rep. Joe Emrick — who has held his seat since 2011 — will be challenged by Anna Thomas, a Democrat.
LehighValleyNews.com previously reported that Thomas previously challenged Emrick in 2022, with 15,619 to 14,916 votes in favor of the incumbent. Get more information about the candidates here.
138th House District
Ann Flood, a Republican incumbent, will face off against Democrat Jared Bitting for the 138th House District.
The district covers the following townships in Northampton County: Bushkill, Forks, Lower Mount Bethel, Moore, Plainfield, Upper Mount Bethel and Washington. It also covers Bangor Borough, Chapman Borough, East Bangor Borough, Pen Argyl Borough, Portland Borough, Roseto Borough, Stockertown Borough and Wind Gap Borough.
183rd House District
Democrat Joseph Lenzi will challenge four-term incumbent Republican Rep. Zachary Mako for the 183rd House District.
Lenzi previously told LehighValleyNews.com he plans "to try my best," despite a 2022 state Supreme Court-ordered redrawing of the 183rd Legislative District securing a plus-18 advantage for Republicans.
Curious about what the candidates support? Learn more here.
187th House District
Republican Gary Day and Democrat Stefanie Rafes are on the ballot for the 187th House District race.
Find LehighValleyNews.com's rundown of the candidates here.
The seat is up or grabs as state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie faces off against U.S. Rep. Susan Wild for Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District.
President and U.S. Senate
Now, for the biggest contests on the ballot this November: Vice President Harris and former President Trump already have secured their party's nominations.
Harris has chosen Walz for her running mate. Trump selected JD Vance as his vice-presidential pick.
Pennsylvania's U.S. Senate race features Democratic incumbent Sen. Bob Casey and Republican challenger David McCormick on the ballot.
Casey and McCormick debated this month, often critiquing each other.
For all of our election-related content in one place, visit our Elections page.
Check back with LehighValleyNews.com on Election Day for updates and results.
